Between Code and Cradle – A Silent Struggle in the IT Lane

Rahul is 38. He’s been in the IT industry for nearly 15 years. From the outside, his life looks stable — a decent job, a home, a wife, and two kids. But inside, he’s exhausted. Not just tired — emotionally drained, mentally fogged, and quietly burning out.

The work that once excited him now feels like a treadmill with no pause button. Every morning, he logs in with a sigh. Tasks come in faster than they go out. Meetings blur into each other. Feedback is often vague. Recognition? Rare. As the years passed, his skills became outdated. He knows it. The tech world moves fast, and Rahul hasn’t been able to keep up.

It’s not that he doesn’t want to. But juggling work with family responsibilities leaves little room for upskilling. After long work hours, he returns home to school assignments, bills, and dinner table conversations about monthly budgets. His wife sees the stress in his eyes. His kids tug at his sleeve, craving a father who is fully present.

But Rahul carries an invisible weight — one that introverts often bear. He doesn’t speak much in meetings. He avoids conflict. He hesitates to ask for raises, fearing he’ll be seen as “difficult.” And worst of all, he doubts his own worth.

Somewhere along the way, his confidence eroded. Missed opportunities in the past still echo in his mind — jobs he didn’t apply for, ideas he didn’t speak up about, risks he didn’t take. Now, the very thought of applying to a new company feels overwhelming. What if they reject him? What if he’s really not good enough anymore?

Yet, even with all this, Rahul shows up — every day. Not because it’s easy, but because he must. His family depends on him. That sense of responsibility makes him both incredibly strong and incredibly vulnerable.

But here’s the turning point: Rahul begins to realize that while he may be stuck, he’s not broken.

He starts small.

A 30-minute course after the kids go to bed. Writing down his wins — no matter how small. Reaching out to a mentor, even if just for a quick chat. Practicing how to talk about his strengths without guilt. Saying no when he’s overwhelmed. Slowly, painfully, but surely — he begins to reclaim himself.

He reminds himself of three simple truths:

• He is not alone. Many are silently struggling behind polished LinkedIn profiles.

• Progress can be slow — but consistency compounds.

• His value is not measured by volume. Quiet people build strong foundations too.

Rahul’s journey won’t change overnight. But now, he’s moving. Not fast, not loud — but forward.

If you see yourself in Rahul, know this: You are not failing. You are fighting. And sometimes, just showing up is the bravest thing you can do.

#Burnout #MidCareerCrisis #ITLife #SilentStruggles #IntrovertStrength